Stupidity, everywhere? (high school, universities, live)

[aca1]

I dont know if anyone has posted this before, I haven't had internet in a while, so I don't know. I am from Talladega, Alabama, and I am amazed at the stupidity that surronds me. It seems that no one knows anything about the rest of the world or even the United States. I would take me a very long time to type all the examples I have. This is a state where people think Obama is Arabic just because he is a Muslim, you can see the bumper sticker that says the only good yankee is a dead yankee, and the movie Talladega Nights is not far from reality. To get to my question, is it like this every where else? I have long imagined moving to California or the Northeast, where people are intelligent and tolerant. Is this an illusion or is the South really as bad as TV would have everyone believe? Thankyou for your input.

[msjbrent]

Aca1-

Well, South Alabama is that bad and worse. Your right, very little to no traveling has been done by these people. I have a zillion examples. PM me if you like as the Southerners here will get all crazy and defensive.


I am from the North and it is much better. Much more intelligent, worldy and straight up sophisticated.

I am referring to rural Baldwin Co, I am unaware of the area you are talking about. Baldwin is rural, poverty stricken and uneducated. Wal Mart is HUGE here.

[sablebaby]

Nope, it's everywhere. We have it oozing out here.

[The_Fairfaxian]

Overall, there is stupidity everywhere. But in certain places, the more inept of any community is usually the ones that are outvoiced by the more rationable and reasonable. The northeast, most of the northern midwest, and the west coast are places where reason usually outweighs ignarance. Stupidity is definitely visible here, just in a different form (northeast=arrogance, west coast=shallowness, midwest=jumping into the great lakes at Febuary, lol) but in the long run, is truly an empty threat.

[TakeAhike]

Not to worry--the city of Atlanta will one day cross the Alabama line. (Probably be some heated discussions about that...)

We have so many 'Issues' and have to keep our noses firmly to the grindstone--increasing the economic growth, etc that we do not have time for 'Old' attitudes. A few choose to make time--but they don't have much support. Moving forward---Progress--that is the Goal.

We have Cox Broadcasting, Coca Cola, Emory University, GA Tech and more 'Free Thinkers'.

I am eternally grateful to have grown up here.

My mother's family--lived only 20 miles away--in what is now an affluent area of Gwinnett--they had the rural Southern attitude you described. Good, hardworking, decent people--never quite understood the distrust or dislike of 'Different' people, things. I always thought growing up in the South during the Depression really affected them. They are my family and I love them--Rednecks though they may be.

[MoMark]

Originally Posted by aca1

I dont know if anyone has posted this before, I haven't had internet in a while, so I don't know. I am from Talladega, Alabama, and I am amazed at the stupidity that surronds me. It seems that no one knows anything about the rest of the world or even the United States. I would take me a very long time to type all the examples I have. This is a state where people think Obama is Arabic just because he is a Muslim, you can see the bumper sticker that says the only good yankee is a dead yankee, and the movie Talladega Nights is not far from reality. To get to my question, is it like this every where else? I have long imagined moving to California or the Northeast, where people are intelligent and tolerant. Is this an illusion or is the South really as bad as TV would have everyone believe? Thankyou for your input.

The grass is not greener elsewhere. You may find groups of people attracted to specific metro areas due to cultural activities, schools, universities, arts, etc., but nowhere in the country is smarter than anywhere else. I guarantee it.
FYI, Obama isn't Muslim! He has Muslim connections, but my understanding is that he is Christian.

[j33]

I can't believe that whole "Obama is Muslim" rumor is actually believed by anyone (not that it would matter if he were). That being said, there are plenty of ignorant deliberately obtuse people all over the country and the world, no one region has a claim to them all

[BahamaBlu]

If you search online certain states are ranked more intelligent than others. They have an actual list of smartest and least smartest states. Its based on graduation rates and test scores and that kind of thing I guess. Noticed northern states rally up the top... but then again some surprising states are in the bottom!

http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm

[TakeAhike]

LOL--I think I have seen this list before.

Vermont #1---Can't help but recall the old 'Bob Newhart Show', with Larry, Darryl and Darryl--??Stereotypical Vermont residents?

Then they list states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey as more intelligent than Virginia--

Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine might be As intelligent as Virginia but New Jersey?

<ducking and running>

[Ronzou]

Even when I'm not in high school I'm still rated in the middle.